Thorold's deer
Thorold's deer | |
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Scientific classification | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Chordata |
Class: | Mammalia |
Order: | Artiodactyla |
Family: | Cervidae |
Subfamily: | Cervinae |
Genus: | Cervus |
Species: | C. albirostris
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Binomial name | |
Cervus albirostris (Przewalski, 1883)
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Synonyms | |
Przewalskium albirostris |
Thorold's deer (Cervus albirostris)
This deer fills an ecological niche similar to the Tibetan red deer (shou, the subspecies wallichi of the red deer species group). It was first scientifically described by Nikolay Przhevalsky in 1883.[1] As of early 2011, more than 100 Thorold's deer are kept in Species360-registered zoos,[5] and in 1998 it was estimated that about 7000 remain in the wild.[1]
Etymology
Although the species was first described by Przhevalsky in 1883, it is also known as "Thorold's deer" because the specimens was procured by G. W. Thorold in 1892 and was described by W. T. Blanford as Cervus thoroldi in 1893.
Taxonomy
Thorold's deer has traditionally been included in the genus
No subspecies are recognized.[1]
Description
Thorold's deer is one of the largest deer species, with a shoulder height around 115 to 140 cm (45 to 55 in). Males, which typically weigh from 180 to 230 kg (400 to 510 lb), are significantly larger than females, at 90 to 160 kg (200 to 350 lb) in weight. The hair is coarse and grey-brown over most of the body, fading to yellowish buff on the underparts, with a distinct reddish-brown patch on the rump, and a ridge of darker hair running down the spine. During winter, the coat is paler, and about twice as thick as during the summer, being thicker even that of a moose. The head is darker than the rest of the body, especially in males, and contrasts with pure white markings on the lips, around the nose, and the throat just below the chin.[3]
Adult male Thorold's deer have antlers, measuring up to 110 cm (43 in) in beam length, and weighing up to 4 kg (8.8 lb). Compared with those of wapiti or red deer, the antlers are flattened with the first and second ("bez") tines noticeably far apart. The antlers can have up to seven tines, which all lie in the same plane. They are shed annually in March, reaching their full length by late summer. Other distinctive features include longer ears than most other deer, lined with white hair, and large metatarsal and preorbital glands. The hooves are broad and heavy, with unusually long dewclaws. The tail is short, at 12 to 13 cm (4.7 to 5.1 in) in length.[3]
Thorold's deer has a number of physical and physiological adaptations to its high altitude environment. The short legs and broad hooves make it an agile climber, able to use steep mountainous terrain to escape predators. Their nasal cavities are unusually large, allowing them to breathe in rarified high altitude air, while the thick hair protects against the cold. The red blood cells in this species are smaller than average for similarly sized mammals, and are very numerous, both features that increase its ability to take up limited amounts of oxygen.[3]
Distribution and habitat
Thorold's deer inhabit the Chinese provinces of
Behaviour
Thorold's deer is a
The species has a range of vocalisations, including loud alarm calls, which are audible over 500 m (1,600 ft) away, growling sounds made by males in rut, and quieter grunts or mews made by females and young. Like reindeer, they can also make unusual, loud snapping sounds from their carpal bones, the function of which is unclear.[3] Thorold's deer rarely run, but they can gallop at up to 35 miles (56 km) per hour.[10]
Reproduction
The
The female gives birth to a single young after a gestation period of 220 to 250 days, typically in either May and June. Shortly before giving birth, the mother locates a secluded den, often in bushes or shrubby cover. The calves are born with white spots, and able to stand within about 40 minutes of birth. Initially, the mother protects them by moving them between a number of different locations, only visiting them twice a day to allow them to suckle. After about two weeks, they rejoin the herd.[3]
The calves' spots begin to fade after around six weeks, and they attain the full adult colour by the end of their first year. They become sexually mature during their second or third year, although males are rarely successful in the rut until they are at least five years old. Thorold's deer have been reported to live up to 21 years in captivity, but probably do not survive for more than 12 years in the wild.[3]
Conservation
Thorold's deer is found only in scattered populations across its former range, although the remoteness of its preferred habitat makes it difficult to study in detail. It faces threats from advancing human agriculture, including competition from domestic animals such as
The species has been farmed for its antlers in China and New Zealand, and is also found in numerous zoos worldwide. It appears able to adapt to being kept at low altitudes without much difficulty.[1]
See also
References
- ^ . Retrieved 12 November 2021.
- ^ a b Pitraa, Fickela, Meijaard, Groves (2004). Evolution and phylogeny of old world deer. Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution 33: 880–895.
- ^ doi:10.1644/849.1.
- OCLC 62265494.
- ISIS (version 12 Jan. 2011). Przewalskium albirostris.
- ^ "China's Biodiversity (in Simplified Chinese)". Archived from the original on 8 July 2011. Retrieved 2 February 2010.
- ^ "Ultimate Ungulate: Thorold's Deer, White-lipped deer". Retrieved 2 February 2010.
- .
- ^ .
- ^ ISBN 0-89658-590-5.